Fire-extinguishing apparatus



Patented July 13, 1926.

UNITED sTAiss frarsnrosrlcs.

ORLANDO R. ERVIIN, OF FOREST HLLS, NEVIYORK, ASSIGNR TO FOAMITE-CIr-IILS CORQPOBATXON, 0F SISB/K,k N.

Y.` A CGRPORATON GF DELAXVARE.

ijrnanxfsinenrsnne Arriiniiros.

Y Application filed July 24 the flow and mixing of the foam-making so.

5 lutions and their discharge as aV foam-mix ture, being herein exemplified as appliedto a so-called sprinkler head but Without liniitations to such type of devices.

In the accompanying drawings: l Figure l is a view in side elevation of a sprinkler head fire extinguishing apparatus embodying my invention and forming one unit of a fire extinguishing system.` Figure 2 is an end view thereof. n Figure 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly inrvertical section, showing my novel form ofl sprinkler head.V

Fioure 4V is a horizontal cross sectional D view taken on a line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a similar View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

-Figure 6 is a view in side elevation of a modified forni of sprinkler head, and slio\vingtwo of the heads located along the pipe lines of the system.

Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinalsectional `view taken through one of the forms of sprinkler head shown in Figure 6, and illustrating particularly the interior construction of the head for obtaining a uniform mixture and distribution of the incoming and outgoing solutions.

`Figure 8 is a cross sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

vReferring new to the accompanying drawings in detail, and particularly Figures l to 5 inclusive, the letter A indicates a ceiling or other support from which is suspended a hanger B supporting the/solution conducting pipes CV and solution is stored separately each in its reservoir (not shown) and from the reservoirs the solutions pass into the respective pipes provided for conducting purposes. l The ap-y paratus lnay be operated upon either the wet pipe system or the dry pipef system. ln the Wet pipeWs'ystein the -pipes are filledlwith the solution clear up to the sprinkler heads and maintained under pres- I 0 sure until the time of operation, for instance the occurrence of a fire which fuses the link of the ysprinkler, head, when the valve Willl be opened in the mixing chain- D. Normally each lazo. ,ser-iai iro. 398,653.

ber, or head and the two solutions will kkbe commingled and* forced out from the head under pressure, forming the fcani.- In thev dr 7 Pipe System the solutions 'are mailitained'in the separate reservoirs and the pipes are filled with compressed air until the link ofv the sprinkler head fuses, thus causing the Valvesl of the head to lopen, thereby permitting the escape of the vair from the pipes and allowing the solutions to flow into the head Where they are mixed, and

' generate foam vwhich is discharged upon the fire. f s Y I'n Figures l to 5 the sprinkler head which is indicated as an entirety byr the letter E is shown as connected with the T-union F in the lpipe C, the'threadedfshank l of the l" mixingjchamber 2 of the sprinkler head being threaded finto the union. It Will vof course be understood that a system of the pipes C and D may be run Wherever needed through a building or other structure, and

that there may be employed as many sprin kier stations eachequipped with one of the ysprinkler Vheads E as may be required.

lVhile each sprinkler head isili direct conimunication with the solution pipe C as just described, itis also connected through a branch G With the pipe D5 the branch pipe G being secured by 'means kof a nut k upon the threaded shank 4; ofl the chamber 2,

Y said shank merging at its innerend in the solution inlet 5 emptyinginto the chai iber to one side of the latter or at a tangent as is vbest shown Ain Figures 3 `and 5. The solution from the pipe D therefore enters the chamber 2 through the inlet 5,' just as the solution from the pipe C is designed to pass through the tubular threaded shank l to its inlet 6 leading into'the chamber 2, in the present .instance one solution entering the chamber horizontally While the other solution enters vertically. However, when the apparatus is not in operation. the solutions are maintained separated at the mixing head because over the inlet l locate a diaphragm '7, preferably kin the nature of a thin, springy, *flexible sheety of metal such as copper-bronze, the center of said diaphragln having a port 8 formed ltherein `which is surrounded by a seat or iiange 9 of lead or other suitable ma place by means of a threaded ring 10, screwed into the wall of the lower portion of the chamber 2, said ring having spanner lugs 11. On top of this ring is adapted to rest a thin circular disk 12, also of metal, and having a central port 13 therein. This disk 12 lies beneath and separates the inlet 5 from the inlet G as will be understood by reference to Figure 3; this disc may be omitted. Across the upper portion of the chamber 2 there extends the thin, flexible, metallic diaphragm la having a central port 15 surrounded by the valve seat or flange 1G of lead or other suitable material. This diaphragm let is locked in place by the screw ring 17 threaded into the ripper' end of the chamber 2, and extending upwardly from this ring 17 are the yoke-arms 18 converging` in the block 19 carrying a suitable detlector crown 20, the function of which is to give direction to the emergent mixture.

The fusible link of the sprinkler head, which may be of any usual construction, and formed from a metallic alloy which melts at a relatively low temperature, is shown at I-I and is socketed at its upper end as at 21 beneath the head block 19, and at its lower end is seated as at 22 in the socket 23 formed in the head of the conical duplex valve I. rllhis duplex valve in Figure 3 is shown as in the nature of a tapered plug, the top bead 2&1 of whichnormally seats on the seat 1G of the diaphragm 1l, while the lower portion of the plug projects through the port 13 of the disk 12, and the terminal of the plug' seats upon the seat 9, forming the valve seat on the diaphragm 7. Thus it will be noted that this duplex plug` valve I acts to close the ports of the lower and upper valve seats, and also the port 13 of the diaphragm 12. Consequently under normally inoperative conditions, as when there is no tire and the fusible link H is intact, the solution from the pipe C is prevented entering the mixing chamber through the lower port 8, by means of the lower terminal of the plug valve, while the solution from the pipe G is prevented leaving the chamber by the upper end of the plug valve closing the port 15, the plug valve itself being maintained closed against the pressure in the pipes by means of the fusible link l-I. On the melting of the fusible link II however, as in case of fire, such link will of course break down thus releasing its holding action upon the duplex plug valve, and the pressure through the pipes C and G connected with the pipe D will blow the plug upward and outward, thus opening the ports and permitting the solution from the pipe C to enter the mixing chamber and there commingle with the solution from the pipe Cr, the mixed solutions then being forced by the pressure entrally upunrd and outward through the port 16 in the upper diaphragm le, the mixture being blown upward and striking the deflector as indicated in the dot-and-dash lines of Figure 3, will drop or be deposited upon the lire, or adjacent flooring or other point in the vicinity of the sprinkler head. rllhe duplex plug valve may be formed of glass, or other non-corroding material, and likewise the seats upon which the valve rests are preferably formed of non-rusting material. In addition the thin resilient, flexible nature of the diaphragms carrying the valve sea-ts enables both to make a proper closing Contact with the valve when the latter is in position; it is important that the engagement of the valve with at least one of the seats be a resilient engagement, produced in this or some equivalent manner.

In Figures 1 to 5 I have shown the solution inlet 5 as entering the mixing' chamber at a tangent or angle, but I wish it to be understood that this inlet may lead centrally and directly into the mixing chamber, as I have found both arrangements to be advantageous.

In Figures 6 to 8 inclusive, I have shown a modified form of my invention. In this instance I have dispensed with the use of the branch between the two solution-conducting pipes, and have made the chamber of the mixing head of sufficient size to bridge the two pipes and to perform the necessary functions. Furthermore. in the case of this modification I have provided the interior of the mixing chamber of the sprinkler head with an arrangement of baffle walls and ports to guide and direct the two solutions along such pat-hs that they will be more thoroughly mixed while converging at or toward the center of the chamber.

The letter C indicates one solution conducting pipe and D is the second solution conducting pipe. In Figure 6 I have shown two sprinkler heads in the piping` system, one being arranged intermediate the lengths of the pipes and the other constituting a terminal sprinkler head uniting the ends of the pipes. The enlarged view in Figure 7 is taken through the intermediate sprinkler head, :but the construction of all of the heads is substantially the same- It embodies a mixing chamber indicated as an entirety by the letter E and including a body section 2 the lower end of which is connected tl'n'ough a tubular shank in communication with the pipe D, said shank being indicated by the numeral 1. At the lower end of this mixing chamber is a. thin flexible metal diaphragm 7 having' a valve seat 9 surrounding central port 8.

Normally rest-ing upon and closing this valve seat is the lower terminal of the duplex valve I, said terminal being indicated at i. The stem of the duplex valve I extends through alining bores in the baille grid llO Cri

y yaait-'easesy p being fat fright angles toithe inlet 6,-Ithiough which .the :solution troni :the .pipe D enters the mixing chamber. into the "nirxing' chamber from fthe :pipe C tlirough ithe inlet'z :itwill pass Yaround the circular Wall 2.6of1the fgrid^or baffle, and up V*through `the ports :or openings27 formed inthe top :horizontal Wall 28 of the grid or baffle fand-'thus .pass into that portion of the chamber lying directly :beneath the through 'the inlet n 60 Will, `when the duplex v f 1i-'alive is fopengpass'throughthe (port 8, up y thifoiigh the ilo-wer portion' oi the mixing chamber and be I*th/ence directed inward toward. the ceiiterio the. chamber gby theiannular shoulderSO-of =the lowerV wall `31 of :the grid zor ba'iile, andwifll xescape up :through theicentital ports 32 iandBB o''the grid-and .in-ix withthe@solution of the fpipes C fin the `upper :portion of the chamber :and directly beneath ithe diaphragm 111', the mixed soluv `tions leaving the mixing chamber in :a `centra'l stream thioiiglithe 'port 15'.' It Will Yurt'her :be iunderstood 'that il `ido =not confine iiiyselil `to fthepreoise arrangement yof parts as shown herein, nor to fthe particular 4type of 'duplex valves employed :for controlling the @ports .at the valve seats.

dl-,Vhat l ,claim is:

d. :A fire Aextinguishing alipaiatus comprising a discharge-head iincludinga mixing chamber having tivo independent'inlets-:for

.the two` different 'componentsfo' -a ifo am pro# ducifng fire .extinguishingmixture, and having an outlet ttor said lrmixture and 'a Walve means normally holdin-g the :components fin separated iconditionwand normally closing the outlet rendered 4aetive under tirecond-itions for :controlling the ilow of said component-s into 'saidicha-mber and lthe exit-of vthe :mixture therefrom. f Y f Inma-discharge head fior 'ire extinguish-` ing apparatus :mixing Vchamber fhaving separate inlets -iorrdiiierent solutions Which when mixed Will Aform fa Vfire extinguishing .foani,fsai,d mixing 'chamber'also having an outlet :for the :mixed rsolutions, a -valve 1for closing oneof #the inlets andthe-outlet,and a fusible member Nnormally holdingrsa'id valve As thefsol'ution passes in fclosed vposition l and adapted vihen lfused to permit:theiopen'ing 'of the lval-ive I and -the escape :of the mixture from jthe chamber.

3. Ina-discharge iliead for firel extinguishing' apparatus, a solution mixing chamber having two inlets .and ian outlet, said inlets being` arranged yatan .angle relative to each other, valve lineans controllingv one ofi :said

inlets andy the outletand means normallyY holding'said valve in closed position and adapted under certain conditions :of

temperature to speiiinit' the opening 'ot said valvemeans.- c y n f 1l. A. hre extinguishing :apparatus :comprising a v'discharge head -iniiluding asolution mixing ehain'beigV `means :for vindependently introducing foam-formino solutions into ythe mixing chamber, said Jchamberiliaving 1an outlet v:for the mixed foam-forming.solutions,

and unitary inea-ns operating automatically under certain conditions of 'temperaturelto allow the `mixing' of Jtheysolu'tions `in Ethe 1min;

ing chamber-:and tlie'iow offsaid mixed sol-u- 7 tions through the outlet ofthe .chai'iiben f upper ldiaphragin 141. rHoWever., the solu-l f tion passing `from :the solution. pipe ZD 5. :A fire extinguishing apparatusV coniprising a discharge head including :a lmixing chamberl yand an automatic valve member,

means 'for separately introducing rfoami forming solutions into 'the mixing chamber where 'they are inixed, said chamber .hayi-ng an outlet for fthemixed solutions and .ine-

chanical Imeans located within the chamber tor assisting in :mixingfthe solutionszand kdii'ecting 'suoli 'solutions ithrough the outle't.

:6. In a discharge head for lire 'extinguish ing apparatus, a Jinixing kchamber having diaphragms .forming Walls 'fory thev chamber and :provided ivithjportsya @solution conduit leadinglinto ithe mixing chamber betvveen said diaphragme, :a second ysolutionv conduit 'terminating outside 'of one of the diaphragms but communicating Withthe unix- -ing lchamber throughjthe .iport of such adiaiplnuig'm.- a valve -normally `closing the zpo'rts `and 1.a member 'normally v.holding :said 'valve v:in rpoitclosing position and adapted `-to percated -ivithin #the chamber for'assisting in mixing tliefsolutions `-Within the chamber.

.8. A lire extinguishing apparatus comprising-a discharge head including.asolution mixing chamber and a valve, means for lintroducing loain-forming solutions into the chamber, an outlet for the exit :of the mixed solutions from the chamber, and a baille located Within the chamber for assisting in mixingthe solutions and for directing the fiow of the same through the chamber to the outlet.

9. A lire extinguishing apparatus comprising a discharge head including a solution mixing chamber having an automatic valve member, means for introducing foam-forming solutions into the chamber, said chamber having an outlet for the exit of the mixed solutions, and a grid-like baffle member located Within the chamber for assisting in mixing the solutions.

10. In a discharge head for fire extinguishing apparatus, a mixing` chamber including a pair of spaced diaphragme forming end Walls of the chamber, each of said diaphragms having a port therein, a solution conducting member communicating with the interior of the mixing chamber, a second solution conducting member terminating at the exterior of one of the diaphragme but communicating through the port of the latter with the mixing chamber, a. valve device normally closing the ports of the diaphragms, fusible means for maintaining the valve device in closed position, and adapted when fused to release the valve and permit the two solutions to mix in the mixing chamber and to leave through one of the ports in foamforming condition, and a grid-lilie baille member Within the mixing chamber for assisting in mixing the solutions.

1l. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a discharge head including a solution mixing chamber having thermally controlled means of inlet and exit for the solutions and a grid-like balile member for assisting in mixing the solutions and directing the flow of the latter through the chamber to the outlet.

12. A iire extinguishing apparatus comprising a discharge head including a solution mixing chamber, means for independently introducing foam-forming solutions into the mixing chamber, said chamber having an outlet for the mixed foam-forming solutions, a deflector surmounting said mixing chamber to distribute the mixture outwardly in all directions from the chamber, and valve means operating automatically under certain conditions of temperature to allow the mixing of the solutions in the mixing chamber and the discharge of said mixed solutions through the outlet of the chamber and against said deilector.

18. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a discharge head including a mixing chamber having independent inlets for the different components of a foam producing lire extinguishing mixture and an outlet for said mixture, mechanical means located Within the chamber for assisting in mixing the solutions and directing such solutions through the outlet, and valve means rendered active under certain conditions of temperature for controlling the flow of said components into said chamber and the exit of the mixture therefrom.

14. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a discharge head including a solution mixing chamber having suitable means of inlet and exit for the solutions, valve means rendered active under certain conditions of temperature for controlling the flow of component solutions through the inlets and the discharge of the mixture through the exit, and a grid-like baffle member for assisting in mixing the solutions and directing the flow of the mixture through the chamber to the exit thereof.

15. In apparatus of the class described, a mixing chamber with a plurality of inlets, a common outlet, a common valve controlling` the discharge through the outlet and the How through one inlet, and a fusible member normally holding the valve in closed position.

16. In apparatus of the class described, a mixing chamber having at one end an inlet and intermediate its ends a second inlet, said inlets for solutions foaming When mixed, the ends of the casing of thin flexible material ported for the inlet of the one solution at the inlet end and for the outlet of the mixture at the other end, a common valve controlling the ports, and a fusible member normally holding the valve closed, said flexible ends adapted to positively un` seat and discharge the Valve When sprung under the pressure of the expanding mixture.

17. In foam fire-extinguishing apparatus, the combination of a casing containing a chamber to which foam-making solutions are admitted and in Which they are brought into contact, two valve ports for said chamber, a common valve member for closing said ports, said member having resilient seating engagement With one of said ports and means for holding said valve in closed position.

18. A lire extinguishing apparatus comprising a discharge head including a solution mixing chamber having tivo inlets and an outlet, valve means controlling one of said inlets and the outlet, and means normally holding said valve means in closed position and adapted under certain conditions of temperature to permit the opening of the valve means.

19. In a discharge head for tire extinguishing apparatus, a solution mixing chamber having two inlets and an outlet, one of said inlets being arranged in substantial alinement With the outlet, valve means controlling the alining inlet and outlet, and means normally holding said valve means in closed position and adapted under certain 'conditions of temperature to permit the opening of the valve means.

20. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a discharge head including a mixing chamber having independent inlets for different liuids and an outlet for said mixture, a deflector surmounting the said mixing chamber, valve means for said mixing chain- Vber operative for normally holding the said iuids in separated condition and for controlling the discharge of the mixture from the chamber and a fusible member between the valve meansand the said defiector norf ymally holding said valve means in closed of New York, andState of New York, this 20 19thday of July A.y D. 1920. f ORLANDO R. ERVVIN. 

